COLLEGE RECRUITING CALENDARS BY SPORT

When and how NCAA college coaches can watch and have contact with athletes varies by sport and division. Below are key recruiting calendar terms to know when looking at each recruiting calendar. Knowing these dates can help you determine what is allowed by college coaches when recruiting athletes. Keep these dates in mind when going through the recruiting process. Recruiting calendars are yearly guides college coaches must follow. To see when and how college coaches can first start contacting athletes, go to our WHEN COLLEGES CAN CONTACT ATHLETES page.

Click below to view each recruiting calendar:

Myth: “I don’t have to worry about recruiting until I’m a junior or senior”

What is a college coach’s primary focus when recruiting a game or tourney?

RECRUITING CALENDAR PERIODS

Here’s a quick breakdown of what is allowed for each recruiting period:

contact period

What is it?

A college coach may have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools and write or telephone student-athletes or their parents. College coaches cannot have contact you in person on competition or practice days until you are finished for the day and are dismissed by the proper authority.

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This period is commonly used by coaches to meet with athletes at their school, home, tournaments or showcase events. During this time, coaches focus on building relationships with their top recruits while finalizing scholarship offers and roster decisions. Meeting recruits and their families in person allows coaches to better understand an athlete’s character, personality and overall fit within the team culture and campus community.

These in-person meetings also provide recruits with an important opportunity to connect with coaches outside of the college setting. It’s a valuable time for athletes and families to ask detailed questions about the program, team environment, academics and campus life. If you have any concerns or uncertainties about a school, use these conversations to gather information and determine whether the program is the right fit for you academically, athletically and personally.

EVALUATION period

What is it?

A college coach may watch college-bound student-athletes compete, visit their high schools and write or telephone student-athletes or their parents. However, a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents off the college’s campus during an evaluation period.

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QUIET PERIOD

What is it?

A college coach may only have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents on the college’s campus.  A coach may not watch student-athletes compete (unless a competition occurs on the college’s campus) or visit their high schools. Coaches may write or telephone college-bound student-athletes or their parents during this time.

Expert Advice

Even though coaches are not allowed to conduct off-campus recruiting visits during the quiet period, recruiting activities continue. Many prospects take advantage of this time by scheduling unofficial visits. Since coaches cannot travel to meet athletes in person, recruits often choose to visit campuses instead. Unofficial visits give student-athletes the opportunity to tour the campus, meet with the coaching staff, view athletic facilities and get a feel for the overall campus environment and culture. Because coaches are still permitted to communicate through calls, texts and emails during this period, arranging a visit is typically straightforward.

dead PERIOD

What is it?

A college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents and may not watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools. Coaches may write and telephone student-athletes or their parents during a dead period.

Expert Advice

The term “Dead Period” seems like nothing can be done by college coaches with athletes during this time. However, college coaches can still call, text, have online/Zoom chats and have email communication with athletes during this time.

RECRUITING SHUTDOWN

What is it?

A recruiting shutdown is a period of time when no form of recruiting (e.g., contacts, evaluations, official or unofficial visits, correspondence or making or receiving telephone calls) is permissible.

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